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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2003
PR- 020-03
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER
RAYMOND W. KELLY PRESIDE OVER GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR
2,108 NEW POLICE OFFICERS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today presided over a graduation ceremony for 2,108 new police officers at Madison Square Garden.  This is the second class of officers to join the Police Department since September 11, 2001, when 23 officers were lost.

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am honored to present the newest members of New York’s Finest,” Mayor Bloomberg said.  “Over the last seven months, these men and women have demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication while preparing themselves to protect the people of our great City.  I am very confident that today’s graduates will help the NYPD immensely in its relentless and historic battle against crime, and I congratulate these new officers on this proud and important day.”

“This is one of the most academically accomplished, most diverse, and most promising groups of Police Academy graduates that this Department has seen,” Commissioner Kelly said.  “These men and women represent the next generation of law enforcement excellence at the New York City Police Department.  I commend every one of these graduates for their commitment and hard work, and I congratulate them on finishing their first step in becoming truly one of New York's Finest.”  

This year's Police Academy class is one of the most academically accomplished and professionally diverse groups in NYPD history.  More than 500 graduates have received four-year college degrees, more than 400 have completed two-year degrees, and 16 new officers possess Master's degrees.  Members of the class hail from a wide range of professions, and include airline pilots, attorneys, nurses, optometrists, paramedics, peace officers, social workers, and teachers.  About 200 graduates have served in the military.  This year’s class is also one of the more ethnically diverse in the history of the Police Department.  Approximately 25% of the graduates are Hispanic, roughly 18% are black, about 5% are Asian or other ethnicities, and 52% are white.  Approximately 20% of the graduates are female.

Mayor Bloomberg also presented the Mayor’s Award to Police Officer Marc Zirlinger for earning the highest overall average in the class.  In addition, Nicholas Molino received the Police Commissioner’s Award for earning the highest academic average; Thomas Hollywood received the First Deputy Commissioner’s Award for earning the second highest overall average; Damian Scanlon received the Chief of Department’s Award for earning the second highest academic average; Cassandra McKay-Brown received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average; Edward Vincenzi received the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average; Mark Kolc received the New York City Police Foundation Award as outstanding company sergeant; and Juan C. Diaz received the New York Finest Foundation Award for exceptional service to the Police Academy. 

The graduates recently completed approximately seven months of training at the Police Academy in various field assignments.  The new officers will be assigned to various commands throughout the City, including the Patrol Services Bureau, Housing Bureau, and Transit Division.


 

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Edward Skyler / Jerry Russo 
(212) 788-2958
 
  Michael O’Looney  ( NYPD )
(646) 610-6700